Downs found guilty of assault against wife, faces new charges

Clare County Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis reported last week that Glenn Edward Downs was found guilty of assault and domestic violence after a two-day trial.

On January 30 Downs was charged with Felonious Assault (Assault with a Deadly Weapon) and Domestic Violence, against his wife, Kimberly. It was alleged that he had punched her multiple times in her head and face. He used a flag pole across her neck to cut off her air and ordered his pit bull to attack her, which it did. She received multiple dog bites. He would not give her keys to her vehicle or her cell phone so she could leave. Ultimately, she was able to get to the neighbor’s home to call for help.

Downs was tried on the charges in a Jury trial that started July 10. When the trial concluded two days later, Ambrozaitis said the jury found him guilty of Domestic Violence and Assault and Battery, which is a lesser included offense of Felonious Assault. The jury found him not guilty of the Felonious Assault. Chie f Assistant Prosecutor Gary Coning handled the case for the Prosecutor’s Office and Austin Roe was the Defendant’s attorney.

Downs’ bond was canceled and he was remanded into the custody of the Clare County Jail pending sentencing.

Downs was arraigned again Monday on new criminal charges including Retaliating Against a witness (a ten-year felony) and with Malicious Destruction of Property Less than $200 (a 93 day misdemeanor).

Ambrozaitis said, “The new charges stem from the Defendant’s behavior after the first day of jury trial– it is alleged that he confronted his neighbor, who testified against him that day in trial, and threatened harm and did property damage.”